"Why have you all come together?" Zephyr's voice was tinged with confusion as he slowly stood up.
It was highly unusual for all three of his most powerful former students to visit him at once. H
e gestured with his massive, sea-prism stone mechanical arm.
"Have a seat."
"Visiting this old man so late at night," Zephyr said, settling back into his chair after the three admirals had taken their seats.
"What's this all about?"
"Zephyr-sensei, a new era has arrived," Akainu said, cutting straight to the point with his typical bluntness.
"And we need your help."
"…? A new era? Help?" Zephyr looked puzzled.
"Yes, Sensei. We need your strength," Akainu's voice was a low, suppressed rumble of anger.
"The corruption of the World Government, the arrogance of the Celestial Dragons—you understand these things better than any of us. Our Marines are supposed to be guardians of peace, but we're treated like nothing more than tools for the World Government to maintain control!"
"Sakazuki…" Zephyr frowned.
He knew every word was true, but to hear it spoken so brazenly by a Marine Admiral was still jarring.
"Sensei, are you content with this?" Akainu pressed on, ignoring his teacher's reaction.
"A single call from one of those Celestial Dragon scum and a Headquarters Admiral has to rush across the seas to clean up their mess! It's absurd! We fight for Justice, not to serve as their personal bodyguards!" He leaned forward, his words now a passionate declaration.
"You've spent your whole life fighting for Justice! And we—we want to change all of this! To uphold true Justice!"
"So… what do you intend to do?" Zephyr asked, looking at his three students, a dawning, almost unbelievable suspicion forming in his mind.
"New Marine," Kuzan spoke, his voice calm but firm.
"Sensei, I believe the flame of Justice still burns within you. We sincerely invite you to join us. To serve as the Chief Instructor of the New Marine, responsible for training all our new recruits. To fight for Justice and for the people."
"Whoosh—"
A flash of yellow light, and Kizaru was suddenly standing before Zephyr's desk, holding out a contract and flashing a familiar, mischievous grin that Zephyr hadn't seen in years.
"..." Zephyr stared blankly at his student's smiling face.
'Borsalino, this kid… how long has it been since he smiled at me like that?'
"'New Marine Employment Contract'?" He slowly took the document and began to read.
The more he read, the more his astonishment grew.
The contract was incredibly thorough, detailing everything from salary and benefits to the New Marine's core philosophy:
"A Marine free from the control of the World Government, truly serving the people."
"Exactly," Kuzan nodded firmly. "A Marine that truly serves the people. Sensei, join us!"
"..."
Zephyr fell silent, his heart swirling with a storm of emotions as he looked at the passionate, idealistic young men his students had become once more.
If they were truly breaking free from the World Government, then it all made sense.
The constant struggle for funding, the humiliation Sengoku had to endure before the Five Elders… all of those shackles would be cast off.
It was as if time had rewound decades, back to when they were all young, full of fire, and fighting for the Justice they believed in.
Memories flooded his mind.
His family, killed by pirates.
The students he had poured his heart into, slaughtered by pirates.
His own arm, torn from his body by a pirate…
Those painful memories, those unfulfilled ideals, the embers of the flame he thought had long since died… they began to stir.
For Justice!
"Sensei," Kuzan's voice rang out again. "I know you've been disappointed in us, in the world. But please, believe in us one more time. We will build a Marine that is truly worthy of your pride."
"..."
Zephyr slowly raised his head, his old eyes clear and bright, mirroring the hope and longing deep within his own heart.
He was old, yes, but that didn't mean he had to give up.
He still had a mission to complete.
He stood and walked to the window, gazing out at the vast, dark sea.
If he didn't love this ocean, why would he have endured for so long?
"Ha—"
A laugh suddenly escaped his lips, a powerful, hearty sound that dispelled the years of gloom from the office.
He turned, his eyes burning with a brilliance that outshone his younger days.
"Good!" Zephyr declared, his voice booming with renewed vigor.
"Let this old man go crazy with you all one more time! The New Marine—count me in!"
"Yohohoho! Wise choice, Zephyr-sensei!" Kizaru gave an exaggerated thumbs-up.
"With the New Marine, you'll get pensions till your hands go numb!"
THUD!
"Borsalino! Shut up! Don't corrupt Sensei!" Akainu growled, having just punched Kizaru on the head.
"Borsalino…" Zephyr said, a hint of teasing in his tone.
"Report to the Admiral Training Camp tomorrow. Let's see how much your physical combat has improved over the years."
"Ouch! Zephyr-sensei!" Kizaru's face instantly crumpled. "These old bones of mine can't keep up anymore!"
"Hahahaha!"
Zephyr, Akainu, and Kuzan all burst into unrestrained laughter, the sound hearty and full of a shared history, as if they had all returned to the training grounds of decades past.
The subsequent discussion went smoothly.
After Zephyr signed the contract, they laid out the entire 'Old Marine Subversion Plan.'
"You're unsure if Sengoku and Garp will support you?" Zephyr asked, gently blowing on his tea.
"Yes, Sensei," Kuzan nodded solemnly. "So we've decided to suspend the Old Marine's authority first, then seek their understanding."
"If the old folks come around, great," Kizaru added lazily from the sofa.
"If not, well… they can enjoy an early retirement~"
Zephyr set down his teacup, his gaze sharp.
"Are you absolutely certain about this? This isn't child's play."
"Absolutely. And Sensei, we need your help," Kuzan said, his tone earnest. "Your prestige and influence are indispensable to us."
"Hmm," Zephyr nodded slowly. "This matter should be handled quickly. The sooner, the better. Let's settle everything tonight."
"Tonight?!" the three admirals exclaimed in unison, their faces filled with surprise.
"What?" Zephyr raised an eyebrow, giving each of them a light, fatherly knock on the head.
"Don't underestimate us old-timers."
"The Justice of the older generation still burns bright!"